Impact of Culture on the Individual and Their Profession - Essay Example

Impact of culture on the individual and their profession By The aspect of culture continues to play an important role inthe personal and professional lives of different individuals. Culture comprises the belief systems of a variety of groups. Today, there is a high level of cultural diversity in different countries and workplaces, owing to the high rate of globalization that has encouraged cross-border migration. Cultural diversity refers to differences between people based on their beliefs, norms, and customs, as evidenced in their way of life (UNESCO, 2014). Therefore, when interacting with people of different cultures either at the workplace or outside work, it is important to ensure that there is effective communication. The healthcare setting is also characterised by a high level of cultural diversity. This therefore, has a major impact on relationships therein. Most importantly, culture shapes an individual. Therefore, in healthcare setting, the healthcare providers are to some extent influenced by their culture, and this may be reflected in their healthcare practice. This paper focuses on culture and how it affects individuals and their profession, with special reference to the healthcare profession. Culture is responsible for the perceptions, behaviours, and interpretations of people. Therefore, healthcare providers from different cultural backgrounds are more likely to perceive things and life in general in different ways. According to Narayan (2010), different cultures also define health and design treatments in different ways. However, despite the cultural differences, it is possible to identify universal aspects, if different cultures are compared. The universal aspects are based on a set of beliefs and creed that are agreed upon. Most individuals in their professions and personal lives will exhibit the aspect of ethnocentrism, which is the belief that one’s own culture is superior to all others. All cultural groups are characterised by ethnocentrism, and individuals exhibit this in their day-to-day interactions (CARLA, 2014). In the healthcare setting, ethnocentrism is one of the major attitudes that create problems between healthcare practitioners and their clients of diverse cultures. Healthcare professionals bring their cultural heritage as well as cultural and philosophical views into the healthcare setting (Anderson, Scrimshaw & Fullilove et al 2003). These therefore, will have different ways of interacting with their clients, as well as among themselves. Such cultural diversity among healthcare practitioners in the healthcare setting will lead to varied natures of relationships in the healthcare setting. For this reason, it is important that all healthcare institutions’ management institute an effective organizational culture. With a given effective organizational culture, which is shaped by rules and norms in the organization, it will be possible for all healthcare professionals in a multicultural organization to act in a uniform manner that promotes cultural diversity. According to Anderson, Scrimshaw & Fullilove et al (2003), culture and cultural diversity in healthcare settings is responsible for disparities in the processes and outcomes of treatment and care. These note that there is sufficient evidence that indicates that the race or ethnic group of a client in the healthcare setting plays a role in determining the kind of treatment and referral that healthcare practitioners will accord the client. This mainly roots from the negative social stereotypes that healthcare practitioners might hold toward specific individuals or groups from a particular culture. For instance, there have been noted differences in the African Americans and whites in referral for cardiac procedures. There have also been racial differences in the treatment of cancer, and treatment of HIV/AIDS (Anderson, Scrimshaw & Fullilove et al 2003). These instances therefore, prove just how culture can affect the practice of healthcare practitioners. In these cases, the professionals engage in discrimination based on ethnicity. To minimize the negative impact of culture and cultural diversity among healthcare professionals in an organization, it is important that the management subjects all healthcare practitioners to trainings that focus on cultural competence and cross-cultural communication. For all healthcare professionals, cultural competency is a great asset. Anderson, Scrimshaw & Fullilove et al (2003, 68) define cultural competence as, “a set of congruent behaviours, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals and enable effective work in cross-cultural situations.” This is mainly because the healthcare professionals act like the advocates of their patients. Cultural competency will enable healthcare professionals to respect the rights and dignity of their patients. Apart from their interaction with patients, healthcare professionals equally interact with fellow employees, who have varying cultural backgrounds. Therefore, besides strengthening the relationship with their patients, cultural competency will also strengthen the relationship among the healthcare professionals as well. Nonetheless, the first step of learning cultural competency involves a healthcare professional realizing the fact that different cultures and belief systems exist (Rose, 2012). Although it is not important for healthcare professionals to understand all the cultures and beliefs of their patients and fellow employees, it is important that that they respect each and every culture. This way, the healthcare professionals will coexist well with their patients and fellow employees. Language barrier is another great challenge that healthcare professionals in multicultural healthcare setting experience. Different people from varying cultural backgrounds speak different languages. This therefore, poses a great challenge to the flow of communication (Rose, 2012). Failure to address this issue usually has a negative impact on the practice of healthcare professionals. Lack of effective communication between the healthcare provider and client will impact negatively on treatment and care of patients, and result in client dissatisfaction. Nonetheless, to address this challenge effectively, it is recommended that healthcare organizations should provide for interpretation services for effective communication. As an individual, I have experienced culture and its effects in different ways. Growing up and living in a highly multicultural society has exposed me to people of different cultural backgrounds. I have learnt different things about cultures, and hence have developed my own perceptions of the different cultures I have come in contact with. For instance, I consider some cultures to be quite hard to understand, while I see others as interesting. Nevertheless, despite these varied views of different culture, I usually set out to understand each culture in their context, and uphold respect for all cultures, as this is important in ensuring healthy relationships, which I consider vital at both personal and professional level. Many times, I find that my personal identity and professional identity have an impact on my professional practice. However, given the diverse knowledge that I have on culture, I have been able to embrace cultural relativity at my work place, even while interacting with people out of my work place. Most importantly, the existence of an organizational culture at my work place has been instrumental in ensuring that I act within the expected limits. Each day, I interact with clients with different cultural backgrounds. This way, I have experienced various challenges such as language barrier and opposing perceptions on treatment and care, among others. This has taught me that different cultures understand differently life processes, illness, wellness, and cause of illness. My cultural background has also been influential in the way in which I deliver care and other services to my clients. However, this has been on the positive, as my culture teaches the importance of respect, which I have been able to strongly stand for. Nonetheless, in dealing with the clients from different cultural backgrounds, and with my awareness of the diversity of culture, I usually consider specific cultural factors that influence my clients, and realize that the cultural differences means that I must assess each client basing on these differences. Working in a multicultural work place has therefore, taught me that there are three major cultural systems that describe my interaction with clients. First is my culture, second is the culture of my clients, and third is organizational culture. When I have cultural competence, it becomes easier to work in such a setting and realize positive results. Overall, the aspect of culture continues to influence me at the personal and professional level. However, I have learnt through different trainings at my workplace, as well as academic knowledge that there are various strategies that I can adopt to address the challenges to cultural competency. This way, I ensure that I treat all my clients equally without discriminating and stereotyping any of them. Most important is the aspect of respect, which is the basis of cultural competency. Respect enables me not to make assumptions about the beliefs of my clients. I also try, out of respect, to find out what the client knows about health and treatment; and respect the support group of the client. This way, I have good relationship with clients. LESSON PLAN Name ________________________________________________ Date _________________________________________________ Topic: Impact of culture on the individual and their profession Context: Evaluating the effect of culture on healthcare professionals, their professional practice, and overall healthcare setting. Objective: The students will learn how culture shapes individual behaviours and relationships, as well as the professional practice of healthcare practitioners. The concept of cultural competence will enable the students to understand how challenges presented by cultural diversity in the healthcare setting can be addressed. Audience: A presentation to postgraduate students of Biomedical Science Timing: 25 Minutes Resources: Computer system and projector for PowerPoint presentation Methodology Presentation The presentation will be to a small group of students. These include postgraduate students of Biomedical Science. The presenter will utilize PowerPoint as the most effective form of presenting to the group. Managing Tension and Conflict To manage tension, the presenter will have enough time to prepare for the presentation. The presenter will also rehearse before the actual presentation. The presenter will arrive early at the venue of presentation, and get everything in order before the audience arrives. To manage conflict, the presenter will allow for individuals in the audience to raise their concerns and questions wherever they felt inadequacy in the presentation. The presenter will also be audible so that the audience can hear him clearly. Desired Results The presenter desires the audience to achieve the following after the presentation; A clear understanding of culture and how it influences individuals at their personal and professional levels. An appreciation of culture as a major force in society, and embracing of cultural diversity. An understanding that most countries and organizations today are highly multicultural, hence the importance of understanding culture. Knowledge on the importance of cultural competence at the organizational level, as well as individual level. An understanding and appreciation of cultural relativity, as opposed to ethnocentrism. Takeaway Message The presenter hopes that the audience will learn the following; Impact of culture on healthcare professionals and the healthcare setting How healthcare professionals can communicate effectively in a culturally diverse healthcare setting. Things a healthcare professional should consider when dealing with a client of a different culture from theirs. References Anderson, L., Scrimshaw, S., Fullilove, M., Fielding, J. & Normand, J. (2003). Culturally Competent Healthcare Systems, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 24(3s): 68-79. CARLA (2014). Culture. University of Minnesota. Retrieved from http://www.carla.umn.edu/culture/definitions.html Narayan M. (2010). Culture’s effect on pain assessment and management. American Journal of Nursing, 110(4): 38 – 47. Rose, P. (2012). Cultural Competency for the Healthcare Professional. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. UNESCO (2014). Cultural Diversity. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social- and-human-sciences/themes/international-migration/glossary/cultural-diversity/ Read More